Investigation into Edgewater police chief ends

Friday

Mar 8, 2013 at 12:40 PMMar 8, 2013 at 11:06 PM

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it has closed its investigation into Chief Dave Arcieri.

FRANK FERNANDEZSTAFF WRITER

Edgewater Police Chief David Arcieri is back in the clear after the State Attorney's Office closed its investigation into whether he obstructed an investigation. In 2011, the FDLE looked into allegations that some of Arcieri's officers had done college work for Arcieri when he obtained a criminal justice degree from Daytona State College. That investigation ended with the State Attorney's Office saying that Arcieri might have violated the college honor code, but there was insufficient evidence for any criminal charge One of the officers involved in that investigation was former officer Chad Anderson, who at the time denied doing any college work for Arcieri. However that changed recently when City Manager Tracey Barlow told the FDLE that Anderson admitted withholding information in the 2011 investigation. Anderson resigned in early February when he learned Arcieri would return to his job. That led to another investigation in which the FDLE looked at whether Arcieri obstructed justice in 2011. The State Attorney's Office closed its investigation without taking action on Monday. That's good enough for Barlow, who said he has confidence in Arcieri. “At this point in time, I don't know that I have any additional concerns,” the city manager said. Arcieri earns $82,000 a year as chief of the department with 29 sworn officers. Arcieri said on Friday that he was pleased the investigation was finished. “I'm glad it is over,” Arcieri said. “And that is all I have got to say about the entire subject.” FDLE on Friday released the reports that came out of the Arcieri investigations. In the latest probe, Anderson said Arcieri had told him during the first investigation that he did not have to speak to the FDLE if he was not subpoenaed. Anderson said another time Arcieri “basically” told him not to talk to the FDLE. FDLE investigator Brett Lycett interviewed Arcieri on Jan. 29 at the office of his attorney Michael Politis. Arcieri told the investigator he and Anderson exchanged some college work, including test material, but it was a mutual exchange. Arcieri also said “he could not recall ever asking Anderson for any test/quiz material,” the report states. Arcieri also stated he did not feel he ever compelled Anderson to give him any course work and that it was a “mutually beneficial relationship” of sharing information, according to the report. The report states Anderson also said Arcieri told him that he did not need to cooperate with the FDLE or give investigators a voluntary statement. Anderson said he feared his job might suffer “repercussions from the chief” if he gave information to the FDLE. Arcieri denied telling Anderson not to cooperate with the FDLE and said that he actually encouraged the officer to tell the truth, according to the report. Arcieri said he didn't know why Anderson didn't fully cooperate with the investigators, the report states. Arcieri told investigators he did not threaten or imply to Anderson or anyone else that their jobs could be in danger if they cooperated. Arcieri also said that at the time he did not believe it was inappropriate to be requesting and sharing academic information with his subordinates because it was mutually beneficial. But Arcieri said he could understand in hindsight that they could feel compelled by his request. — Staff Writer Mark I. Johnson contributed to this report.